Michelle Grattan

When the government presents its latest implementation plan for Closing the Gap on Tuesday, it will test its ability to produce policy muscle in Indigenous affairs, writes Michelle Grattan.

Those wanting comprehensive tax reform aren't saying trust should be breached — they're arguing now's the time to put the tax system on the table for review, writes Michelle Grattan.

The vast majority of taxpayers in Dunkley will be better off under the government's tax cuts. That's the first problem for Peter Dutton. But then there is the question of the opposition's response, writes Michelle Grattan.

For an issue in which Australia is not a player and has no direct influence, the Israel-Hamas conflict is putting serious strain on the Albanese government, internally and externally, writes Michelle Grattan.

If the government's position doesn't improve substantially, people will take a more serious look at Peter Dutton — the hard man from Queensland — and speculate about what sort of prime minister he'd make, writes Michelle Grattan.

Despite its unrelenting announcements the federal government is struggling on key issues. After successful trips to Washington and Beijing, prime minister Anthony Albanese is suddenly looking on the back foot.

The High Court isn’t usually front and centre in politics. But when it is, it can land sharp punches that throw governments off balance.

It's helpful for the Albanese Government to have all mainland states in Labor hands – but only up to a point, writes Michelle Grattan.

There's a general recognition Australia is not on track to achieve the government's commitment to have renewables deliver 82 per cent of electricity by 2030. The treasurer wants to change that.

In the space of a fortnight, Anthony Albanese will be breaking bread with two of the most powerful men in the world, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. But at home, many Australian families face fresh anxiety over the cost of living, writes Michelle Grattan.

Just two months ago, two of the strongest Labor leaders in recent history were solidly ensconced in WA and Victoria. They've now walked away. 

The debate still rages about dealing with climate change and, close to home, Australia's energy transition, which is under way but accompanied by increasing pain and problems, writes Michelle Grattan. 

Could her resurrection of the 2020 strip search incident be one way of seeking to neutralise an issue that has been otherwise debated – to the government's detriment – in terms of limiting competition?

Thank goodness for Senate committees. This week, they've proved, yet again, to be worth their weight in accountability gold, writes Michelle Grattan.

The government is failing to convincingly explain the "unusual" decision to not let Qatar Airways expand in Australia at the same time that Treasurer Jim Chalmers is launching a review into competition policy, writes Michelle Grattan.

Labor is less than halfway into its first term, but Anthony Albanese knows if he leads a short-term government, what it achieves can be quickly negated. His message to delegates at the national conference is "be patient", writes Michelle Grattan. 

Crazy brave, or just crazy? If, as seems likely, the opposition embraces nuclear power in its 2025 election policy, it will be taking a huge political gamble, writes Michelle Grattan.

The Voice debate has become far more complex than Anthony Albanese would have wanted it to be but his government is at risk of letting down the 'yes vote' by being too cautious, writes Michelle Grattan.

A report from the Productivity Commission has exposed – without spelling it out – an odd shortcoming in the Albanese government's sales pitch for its Voice proposal, writes Michelle Grattan.

Andrew Leigh won't have made himself many friends in Labor with his attack this week on the stifling power of the party's factions, writes Michelle Grattan. 

The Federal by-election for the seat of Fadden could deliver a blow or a boost for Peter Dutton next week, writes Michelle Grattan.

Earlier, the government was putting much faith in "the vibe" to carry the Voice – a general appeal to righting the wrongs of the past and giving Indigenous people the opportunity to be heard. Now the government is desperate to arrest the slide, writes Michelle Grattan.

This week the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters recommended broad reforms: a drastic lowering of the threshold for disclosing donations. 

Two women ended up in tears in the Senate this week, as the Brittany Higgins imbroglio exploded yet again and in the process claimed a scalp, writes Michelle Grattan.

The trajectory of wages is just one of the unknowns in the complex situation facing the economy, and thus the government, over the next year, writes Michelle Grattan.